Inflammation plays an important role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). Severe pulmonary inflammation can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or even death. Expression of proinflammatory interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the process of pulmonary inflammation will further exacerbate the severity of ALI. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Palrnatine (Pa) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse ALI and its underlying mechanism. Pa, a natural product, has a wide range of pharmacological activities with the potential to protect against lung injury. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays were performed to detect the expression and translation of inflammatory genes and proteins in vitro and in vivo. Immunoprecipitation was used to detect the degree of P65 translocation into the nucleus. We also used molecular modeling to further clarify the mechanism of action. The results showed that Pa pretreatment could significantly inhibit the expression and secretion of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, and significantly reduce the protein level of the proinflammatory protease iNOS, in both in vivo and in vitro models induced by LPS. Further mechanism studies showed that Pa could significantly inhibit the activation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the LPS-induced ALI mode and in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Through molecular dynamics simulation, we observed that Pa was bound to the catalytic pocket of Akt and effectively inhibited the biological activity of Akt. These results indicated that Pa significantly relieves LPS-induced ALI by activating the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To assess the clinical value of percutaneous bone cement fusion in treating stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Methods The clinical data of 4 ankylosing spondylitis patients with stress fracture of vertebral body adjacent to pseudoarthrosis,which was treated with percutaneous bone cement fusion,were retrospectively analyzed.Bone cement fusion through injection of bone cement was performed for 4 vertebral segments.Visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and Oswesty disability index (ODI) were determined before and after operation,the results were compared,and the improvements of pain and daily activity were evaluated.Results The operation was successfully accomplished in all the 4 patients.The mean used amount of bone cement for each vertebral segment was 14.5 ml.Small amount of bone cement extravasation was observed in one patient,but no severe clinical complication occurred.The mean VAS score decreased from preoperative 9 points to postoperative 3.5 points;ODI score decreased from preoperative 43.8 points to postoperative 14.5 points.After the treatment,the pain was obviously relieved and the daily activity was markedly improved.Conclusion For the treatment of stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,percutaneous bone cement fusion is minimally-invasive,safe and effective.

Objective To study the mechanical properties and degradation behavior of biodegradable silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent in vitro,to investigate the technical feasibility of its implantation into rabbit esophagus and to observe the tissue reaction in vivo.Methods The mechanical compression recovery properties and the degradation behavior of biodegradable silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent were tested in vitro.A total of 30 healthy Holland rabbits were randomly divided into silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent group (n=15) and control group (n=15).For rabbits in the silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent group fluoroscopy-guided insertion of the stent into the lower third segment of esophagus was conducted,while for rabbits in the control group no intervention was adopted.One,2 and 4 weeks after the implantation of the stent,esophagography was performed for all rabbits of both groups,and each time every 5 rabbits from both groups were sacrificed,the specimens were collected and sent for histological examinations.Results In vitro test indicated that biodegradable silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent had good flexibility and elasticity,and in phosphate-buffered saline with pH 4.0 or pH 7.4 it degraded more slowly than bare magnesium alloy stent.In vivo test showed that the stent implantation could be well tolerated by all experimental rabbits.Before stent insertion the esophageal diameter was(9.2±0.8) mm,and at one,2 and 4 weeks after stent insertion the esophageal diameters were (9.7±0.7) mm,(9.6±0.8) mm and (9.6±0.5) mm respectively (P＞0.05).In the silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent group,stent displacement occurred in 6 rabbits in one week (n=l),2weeks (n=1) and 4 weeks (n=4).After stent implantation,the tissue reactions such as esophageal wall injury,collagen deposition,etc.were not obviously different from those in the control group (P＞0.05).Conclusion It is technically feasible to insert silicon-covered magnesium alloy stent into the rabbit's esophagus,the stent can provide sufficient support for at least 2 weeks,the stent displacement rate is low and acceptable,and no severe esophageal wall injury and collagen deposition are observed.

Stent implantation plays a more and more important role in the treatment of benign esophageal stenosis. Metal stents are most commonly used in the clinical practice, which can be classified into permanent stents and temporary retrieval stents. Permanent implantation of metal stents is easy to cause complications such as inflammatory hyperplasia, in-stent restenosis, perforation, bleeding, etc. Temporary retrieval stents should be removed with one week after it is implanted in order to avoid esophageal scar tissue repair and in-stent tissue hyperplasia, which can cause difficulty in its removing and produce higher recurrence rate of esophageal restenosis. Clinically, drug-eluting stents have already been used in cardiovascular system procedures, but at present the gastrointestinal drug-eluting stents are still in development and animal experiment stage. Biodegradable magnesium alloy stents have been widely employed in cardiovascular system procedures. With the rapid development of biological engineering materials, drug-eluting magnesium alloy stent has become a hot spot and the frontier in research field. This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the current research status and prospect of the drug-eluting magnesium alloy stents, focusing on the stent technology, stent molding, coating modification, and the treatment of drug-eluting.

The authors report one case of primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with multiple liver metastases. A patient was a 41-year-old female. In 2010, B-ultrasound examination revealed that there were multiple space-occupying lesions in the liver, and hepatic hemangiomas was considered to be the diagnosis. Then, the patient was followed up regularly. In Aug. 2013, B-ultrasound examination indicated that the hepatic lesions were significantly enlarged. Multi-detector CT scanning and MRI examination were performed, and still the diagnosis of multiple hepatic hemangiomas was suggested. On CT and MRI the lesion presented as a well-circumscribed hypervascular tumor with “fast-in and slow-out” enhancement pattern. On MRI, the lesion was characterized by multiple nodules. Needle biopsy was carried out, and the pathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis was metastatic neuroendocrine tumor. Systemic examination did not find the primary lesion. Therefore, primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with intra- hepatic metastases was diagnosed. The patient was treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The drugs used were 100 mg Oxaliplatin+one bottle of gelatin sponge particles(300-500μm)+10 ml iodized oil, and micro-pump infusion of 100 mg oxaliplatin(99 mg/h) through catheter was also employed. Clinically, primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma is extremely rare. In combination with the medical literatures, the authors attempt to make a preliminary discussion on the clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the method for effective establishment of nude rat tumor xenograft model of human lung cancer cells A549 in order to provide the experimental basis for tumor-related interventional research in vivo. Methods A549 cell lines were subcutaneously transplanted in nude rats, then single-cell suspension or tumor tissue block were prepared when the tumor lesion was established. The single-cell suspension and tumor tissue block were transplanted into subcutaneous tissue behind ear in rats. The tumor formation rate, growth situation and cell cycle of primary xenograft tumor group, the secondary single-cell suspension group and the secondary tumor block group were evaluated. The results were analyzed. Results The tumor formation rate of the secondary tumor block group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups. The tumor cells quickly proliferated with less tumor variation. Tumor cell cycle analysis indicated that G2/M ratio of the secondary tumor block group was remarkably higher than that of the other two groups. Conclusion Transplantation with tumor tissue block can significantly increase the tumor formation rate of human lung cancer cells A549 in experimental rats. This technique is an effective method for the establishment of nude rat tumor xenograft model.

Objective To compare the inhibiting effect on human lung adenocarcinoma who were treated with gem?citabine combined with cisplatin chemotherapy through either arterial or intravenous route to explore the optimum adminis?tration route. Methods Human lung adenocarcinoma derived A549 cells were transplanted into 40 BALB/c-nu mice to es?tablish lung cancer model. The models were divided into 4 groups:animals in arterial or intravenous chemotherapy groups were treated with gemcitabine 150 mg/kg combined with cisplatin 10 mg/kg through either arterial route or intravenous route. Animals in negative control group were given normal saline through caudal vein while animals in sham operation group were treated with normal saline via arterial route. Then dynamical change of tumor volume and tumor inhibiting rate were assessed , and Bcl-2 and Caspase 3 expressions were investigated using western blot. Finally inhibiting effect were compared between these two different administration routes. Results Transplanted tumors in arterial and intravenous che?motherapy groups (especially in arterial group) were suppressed, in terms of mass of tumor(g:1.91±0.19, 2.61±0.21 vs 4.58± 0.46), compared to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, tumor inhibiting rates in arterial chemotherapy group and ve?nous chemotherapy group are 57.6%and 42.4%respectively (P<0.05). Expression of Bcl-2 was down regulated while ex?pression of Caspase-3 was up regulated upon both arterial and intravenous chemotherapy. And arterial route showed much more obvious tumor apoptosis effect than venous route. Conclusion Arterial route of gemcitabine combined with cisplatin for lung adenocarcinoma treatment is more effective to restrain the tumor growth in clinical application.

Objective To establish a carotid siphon aneurysm model in dogs in order to test the mechanical features of a newly-designed Willis covered stent-graft and to investigate the histological reaction of the stent-implanted vessel during a follow-up period of 12 months.Methods Twenty-four saccular sidewall aneurysms were surgically created in twelve dogs(group A)and 12 carotid siphon aneurysms in another twelve dogs(group B).A Willis stent-graft was implanted in each aneurysm.Angiography was performed immediately after the procedure and 1,3,6 and 12 months after the implantation to investigate the aneurysm isolation,endoleak,stent angulation,and the patency or restenosis of the parent artery.Light and scanning electronic microscopy were used to identify aneurysmai sac thrombi,intima hyperplasia and endothelial progress of the stent-loaded arterial segment.Results In group B,postoperative immediate angiography demonstrated that two aneurysms had mild endoleak and three stents became angulated.Follow-up exam 12 months after the procedure revealed that all previous endoleaks disappeared,one parent artery became occluded and three parent arteries developed mild stenosis(＜50%).In group A.occlusion of parent artery was seen in one and mild stenosis(＜50%)in 2 cases.Electronic microscopy revealed new intima formation in all stents,and all aneurysmal sacs were filled with thrombi.In group B.the endothelialization process was not completed until 12 months after the stent implantation,and a marked correlation existed between endothelial cell arrangement and the hemodynamic orientation.Conclusion It is feasible to treat carotid-siphon aneurysm in dog with a Willis stent-graft.The complete endothelialization of the covered stent in tortuous vessel takes longer time than that in rather straight vessel.

Objective Complicated aneurysms located in the cisternal segment of the internal carotid artery(ICA-CSA)present unique therapeutic difficulties.This study is to discuss the feasibility of the Willis stent-graft in treating complicated ICA-CSA by comparing its effect with that of coiling therapy.Methods Willis covered stents were employed in 19 complicated ICA-CSAs(group A),while coils were used in 17 complicated ICA-CSAs(group B).Follow-up angiography was performed to investigate aneurysm recurrence,endoleak and parent artery(PA)stenosis.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the recurrencefree and PA stenosis-free rate in both groups.Results Total exclusion was immediately achieved in 13 ICACSAs and minor endoleaks presented in 5 cases in group A.Total or near-total occlusion was achieved in 7 ICA-CSAs.subtotal occlusion in 8 and partial occlusion in 2 cases in group B after coiling.Acute thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in either group and re-hemorrhage happened in 1 patient after coiling.Follow-up angiography in group A revealed that 16 ICA-CSAs were completely isolated,with two parent arteries showing mild in-stent stenosis.Eighteen months after the procedure,Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence-free rate was 93.3%and 50%,while the stenosis-free rate of parent artery was 87.5%and 100% in group A and in Group B,respectively.In group A and group B the clinical neurological symptoms were fully recovered in 9 and 9,obviously improved in 3 and 5,unchanged in 2 and 2,and aggravated in one and 0 patients,respectively.Conclusion The implantation of Willis stent-graft is a feasible endovascular therapy for complicated ICA-CSAs.When the parent artery is very tortuous or when the risk that a main collateral branch may be wrongly covered and occluded is present,the implantation of Willis covered stent can not be taken as the treatment of first choice.

Objective To report our experiences in the treatment of recurrent intracranial aneurysms with re-coiling or covered stents.Methods A total of 291 patients with 305 intracranial aneurysms were treated with detachable coils.and 41(28.9%)of 142 patients with aneurysms in the intemal carotid artery had a recurrent aneurysm during the follow-up period.For this study,31 recurrent aneurysms in 31 patients who had angiograms within 6 months following retreatment with detachable coils(group A,n=20)or covered stents(group B.n=11)were analysed.Aneurysms were categorised as complete or incomplete occlusion via angiographic assessment and graded as full recovery,improvement,no change or deterioration via clinical assessment.Data regarding technical success,initial and final angiographic results,final clinical outcome were collected and analysed postoperatively.Results Coil embolisation and covered stent placement.were technically successful in all recurrent aneurysms.The initial angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 11 patients(55%)in group A and in eight(72.7%)in group B(P=0.452),and the final angiographic results exhibited complete occlusion in 10 patients(50%)in group A and in 11(100%)in group B(P=0.005).There were no significant differences in technique success or final clinical outcome between the two groups.Conclusions Recurrent aneurysms after coiling can be successfully treated and occluded with re-coiling or covered stent placement.However,covered stents seem to be more effective than re-coiling with regard to complete occlusion of recurrent aneurysms.